tiredofpain wrote:
The one thing I felt that I did "know" was that I would regain the ability to move if only someone touched me.  Where such an idea came from, I don't know and this part of it lends some weight to the psychological arguments that try to describe the experience.  It was very much "out of the ordinary".  My girlfriend wasn't in bed with me either, which was confusing.  So I tried to call out but after a few minutes, the best I could manage was some sort of groaning squeak noise from deep in my throat.  It was more like a whimpering dog than a man...lol  It also wasn't very loud.

 

This describes my experiences pretty well, with two exceptions - I can't open my eyes, and it usually comes along with a breathing problem (I have rather severe asthma) which just adds to my panic. I'm conscious and fully aware, but I can't move anything or breathe.

I've instructed my partner that when I make those kinds of noises I want him to shake me and do anything he can to wake me up. Unfortunately, I'm also into talking in my sleep and sometimes he can't tell the difference and refrains from waking me because he thinks it is just sleep talk - he doesn't hear the difference. It also most often happens when I'm alone before he comes in to bed.

I've read about the "old hag," or some people experiencing other kinds of demons or aliens, but so far I have not had that experience. Thank goodness!